The Sun. — London, England, 1864-12-28 00:00:00

IIoNEY MARKET AND , /'.OMAIERCIAL INTELLIGENCE, CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK. In a short time the annual meetings of the several Joint-stock banks will be held, and as directors and teenagers are naturally desirous to make their balances as large as possible, many of them are tow engaged in recalling the money loaned out in the diecount market. These operations, although at present not very perceptible, wilt, In a little time, have a very powerful effect in diminishing the supplies of the open Market, and as a consequence assist to keep up the zates for the negotiation of commercial paper. Very lath business however has been transacted in mone tary circles to day beyond the enquiry for Stock Exchange purposes, to assist in the arrangement of the fortnightly account in foreign bonds and ehares. The quotation has therefore been main. tained at 6 per cent. for the best short dated bills. The bullion operations at the Bank yesterday Comprised an influx of £23,000 in bar gold. The Ellora, which left yesterday, conveyed £17,872 in gold to Alexandria, and £9,650 in gold and £155,400 in silver to Bombay, making a total of £182,922. There was no material alteration in the foreign exchanges yesterday afternoon. Three failures are announced, two of which so far as the respectability of the firms concerned, are important. Messrs. Hill, and Meguelin, Russian merchants, with liabilities reokoned at £130,000, have announced a suspension of payment through the unfavourable state of trade in Russia, and the inability to realise shipments in time to meet en. gagements as they fall due. Messrs. Cooper Brothers and Co., are the accountants engaged, 'Who are to present a statement of affairs to the cre ditors. Messrs Edward de Caster and Co., Brazilian merchants have also addressed a letter to their cre ditors seeking their indulgence. Their stoppage is said to have arisen through a connection with houses who have lately suspended, and the liabili ties of the house are estimated at £60,000. Messrs Quitter, Ball, and Co. have been instructed to pre pare a balance sheet. Messrs Chandler, Ormond, and Co., general merchants, have also failed to meet their engagements, believed to amount to £20,000. The estate, it is believed, will realise about 68 in the pound. Mr F. Mullaly, the accountant, has been engaged. CITY, Two o'CLooK. At Paris, this day, according to Mr. Renter's Telegram, the 3 per cent. French Rentes were 65f. 60c. Very firm and animated. Notwithstanding the small amount of business transacted at the Stock Exchange, buoyancy in quotations is very generally perceptible. The numbers have been chiefly occupied with prepa rations for the settlement of the amount in foreign bonds and shares, and the few transactions entered into have assisted to keep up prices. The Funds are 9 higher than last evening, Consols for money being 89* a, and for the account 89,1-. The New Threes and Reduced Annuities are 884 ; Ex■ Chequer Bills, 2s. dis. to 3s. prem. ; India 5 per Cents., 103 ; and the Bonds, 4s. prem. A general improvement has taken place in the Foreign Market, and business is more active. Tur. kith Consolides are 48t Mexican, 291 i; dc. New, 271 28 ; Greek, 2411 Spanish Passive, 324 do. Certificates, 141 it; the Confederate Loan, 68 60; the Egyptian, 11 prem. ; the Montevidean, 21 prem. In the Railway Share Market the dealings have been moderately active, and prices in most instances are firmer. Great Northern A Stock, Great Wes tern, Brighton, North Western, Midland, and North Eastern (Berwick) have each advanced £1; Cale donian, £2; and Lancashire and Yorkshire, Metro politan, and South Eastern, each 10s. The Foreign and Colonial undertakings remain Without any material change in prices. Bank and Miscellaneous Shares continue in limited favour at about previous quotations, BRITISH FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK. GOV ER NMENT FUNDS. . per Cent. Consols Do Account, Jan. 10 3 per Cent. Reduced BBl I blew 3 per Cent New 2} per Cent. Jan. 1894 — Do 5 per Cent., Jan. 1873 Annuities, 30 yrs, expire hth Jan., 1880 — Do for 30 yrs, expire sth April, 1885 — Do (Red Sea Telegraph), Aug. 1908 — Exchequer Bills, £l,OOO, 4per Cent, 3pm Do £5OO — Do £lOO and £ 200 Bank England Stk, 61 per. Ct. — Do Account — INDIAN GOVERNMENT SFOVRITIES. India Stock, 10i per Cent., April 1874 — 'lO Account — Do 5 per Cent. July, 1870 D 3 Account .. Da 4 per Cent., Oct, 1888 Do 5 per Cent., Jan. 1872 — Do 5 3 / 4 per Cent., May, 1879 Do 4 per Cent., Aug. 1866 Do Bonds £l,OOO _ Do under £l,OOO . ... 4 pm FOREIGN FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK. - ~Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent .. Brazilian 5 per Cent Do 4i per Cent., 1852-58-60 .... Do 1863 — nuenos Ayres 6 per Cent — hilian 6 per Cent. — Colombian 6 per Cent Cuba, 6 per Cent. - Do 5 per Cent. 1864 Danish 3 per Cent., 1825 Do 5 per Cent, 1864 Do 5 per Cent., 1773-77, £25 paid — pm equador New Consolidated, 1 per Cent — • Do, Provisonal Land Warrant.. — Egyptian 7 per Cent.. — Do, Second Issue DO £lOO Bonds Do 1864 — Do Scrip, £l5 paid i pm Do Account . . ........... Greek 5 p er C e nt., 1824-5, ex-Coupons 23i Do Account Do Coupons — Do Account lO Guatemala 5 per C. ▪ Do 1839 and 116 ' ~....•- Italia n 5 per Cent.tMacemmana Railway) kexican 3 per Cent Do Account Do 1864.. Do 6 per Cent. Anglo-French _die Do Scrip, £53 paid.... 1,0 French Scrip, Ex. 25f 20c.. — dis x d Moorish Imperial 5 per Cent New Granada Do 2 per Cent. Do Deferred Do Land Warrants (llectares) — Do Debentures, 4 per Ct., April 1864 — Do do Aug., 1866 — .. l'oruvian 4} per Cent 00 3 per Cent. (Crribarren)... — Do 4i per Cent., 1862 Do Account r ortuguese 3 per Cent., 1853 Do Account — Do 3 per Cent., 1856, '7, '9, '6O, 62,'3 — • Do Account • • aVissian 5 per Cent 1822, £ St. — Do 4i per Cont., 1850 .. Do 1860 1)0 3 per Cent 1869 — Do 5 per Cent, 1862 Do 1864.... Do Scrip, £65 paid atrdinian 6 per Cent , Do Account — 'Pettish 3 per Cent Do Account — Do New Deferred Do Account — Do Passive ~_, Do Account B 2t '''Panish Cert. of Coup not funded — Do Account — Zwedish, 4 per Cent. Turkish 6 per Cent. 1854 bo Account 1)0 6 per Cent. 1855 1)0 ecount Do £lOO Bonds D, 0 6 per Cent. 1862 1 )0 Account •• O £lOO Bonds.. 10 6 per Cent. 1863 0o Guaranteed, 4 per Cent. •enezuola 3 per Cant. Jo Account :uo 6 per Cent., 1862 7 ;., -)1 0 Account 13 0 6 p Cent., 1864 b o ii per Cent Dividends on the above payable in London An?t r i an, 5 per C en t., E x . 10 Florin s . bellan 4} per Cent., Ex. 25f 'itch 2i per Cent., Ex. 12 Gull — F Do 4 per Cent. Certificates ro nch Rentes, 3 per Cent. .. Italian, 5 per Cent., 1861, Ex. 25 francs.. "0 A,ccount ' i,9ruvian Dollar Bonds, 4i per Ct. Ex. 4s. Le lolootese, 5 per Cent., Ex. 25f — TWO O'CLOCK, °,n M solP, iney SHARE MARKETS,—This Day. ORDINARY SHARES AND STOOKS. Mare Railways. p aid. Closing ' Business Price. I done. -fir., Wol., and Str. Val.. all Blythe and Tyne. 3ristol and Exeter Jaledonian ---. 103 I 3ork and Bandon 4:l Jornwall all )o A A gets no div 1 all Do. B till op c.p an.has, all been paid to B. Dublin & Belfast Junc.l all Dun.,Perth,&Ab. Junc.! all Edinburgh & Glasgow. 100 llasg. and S. Western lOO IreatEastcrn, Ord: stk 100 Ditto A stock Ditto EastAnglian st 100 lreatNorthof Scotland! 100 treat Northern....... Do A stock Do B do_ Gt. S. and W. of Irelan Great Western,Original Do Str Val elm. stoest Do. South Wales Do. West Mid. -Oxtord, Do Newport l Do Hereford' Lancashire & Yorkshire London and Blackwall, Lon., Bright.,& S. Coast: Chat., and Doverl Lon. & Norfh Western Lon. & Scr.th Western Ilan., Shef., & Lincoln. Maryport and Carlisle. Do shares... Metropolitan Midland Do Birming. & Derby Gt. W. of Ireland Do. shares Mid Kent North British Edin., Perth, & Dundee. Nth. Eastern—Berwio. Do, G.N.E. purchase Do Leeds Do York Do Carlisle Do. Stook. & Darling Do do 1855-58 Do do 18 , 56-61 North London Do New .• • 0000000 Do New, _1864 North Staffordshire N. and S. W. Junction Soottish Central Soot. N. E.,Aber. stook Do Boot.'Mid. stook.. (Shrews, and Welohpool (Shropshire Union South Devon....— South Eastern Staines, W ok. , an dWok Taff Vale.. IVala of Neath Waterford dig Kilkenny West Cornwall W. Hartlepool Har. 3.14. 100 100 100 all 100 S 100 100 100 100 BRITISH POSSESSIONS. Railways & St Lawrene , tom.,Baroda.t.Cent In , GU. 5 per oent... Do. E. iunalo and Laxe Huron Do. Preference .. luffalo,Brant,&(odrid p. et bds. Aug, 1,1 S? Jo. do. July 1, 18: )o. do. June 1. 1.4. acutta.tS. Eastn. (I.lli ;apeTown ez Dook scri Demerara 7 p.o. per. pf ttastn. Bengal gu. 5 1, 11;ast Indian, en. 5 p. e Do. do. J Eat.... .;rand Trunk of Cana4b , Do. Equip. Mort. Bonds 1 charge 6 per cent Do. Ist fret. Bonds.. Do. do. deferred...... Do. 2d Pret. Bonds.. Do. do. deferred...... Do. 3d Pref. stock Do. do. deferred....• • Do. 4th Prei.;tock... Do. do. deferred Ot.lndiareniu.gua.sp.e Do. Gui. 5 per cent Do. IN ew gua. 5 p. 0..• it. South.of India(Lim guaranteed 5 per cent. Do. 41 per Cent Do t. W. oi Canada Sbare, Do. New Do. 6 p.o. '73 with't opt. Do. 5i p. o. do. '77-8.. • . Indian Branch Limited Madras guar., 5 p. o. Do. 4j p. o. Extensiou Do. 44 do • • Do. Fifth Extension. ‘lelb.Corp. 6 p. o. Buds & Hobson's Bay. gew Br unswiok a Can& Class A and 8.. S.Rl.C'daB po lat pi bdt• &bade Do. Delhi Do. d 0......— t. 4 Do. Punjaub •, e. Do. In dus.S t. Flog) raid., Closing Price. 58 0 1026 1( 34 }die ip 5 66 86 96 75 80 98 100 8) 85 103 104 104 1)5 f 8 91 70 72 61 (14 66 68 56 58 53 54 47 50 30 32 28 30 10 1041 1 pr iP pr 4p 101 103 9 9} 11i 11. 88 00 80 02 1 d 1021 1036 96 98 91 93 59 61 stook t took stock Stook all 100 xlOO 100 ( 2 : 1( 0 100 S b 82 84 10: 103 102 d }pi 103 i i 103 101 95 97 COLONIAL GOVERNMENT SEC U itITIES. , British Columbia, 6 per cent., Dec. 31, 1872.... 100 ' Do. do. 1881... 100 - - .‘tJ 1113 - 1877-81 100 99 101 - Do. ap. o. Feb. it Aug. 100 97 99 - Do. 6p. o. Mar. & Sept 100 97 99 - Do. tp. o. Jan.BLJuly. 10C 88 90 90 - Do. 5 inscribed stock 100 86 89 - ape G.llope, 6 p c,187: 100 03 105 Do.Ap & Oct. 1881 100 06 108 Do. 11391 100 106' 108 1(81 - )o. Jan. & July 1891.. 100 109 111 - ;eylon, N0v.1863, 6 p 100 102 104 - Do. 1878, do. 100 9 112 - Ilauritius 6 p.0ent.1873 'OO 05 107 Do. 1878 100 06 109 Do. 1882 100 106 108 natal Gov. 6 per cont.. 100 104 106 - 6 p.c. J a.&Jul) 100 98 101 - `;. S.W. G ov. 5 p 0.,1801 100 98 100 - Du. sp. c.,114/1 to 1.71 100 95 97 - Do. d0.,1888 Jcupwch. 100 94 96 954 - iew Zealand 6 p cent 100 05 107 Xova Scotia Gov. 6 p. c. - sterling, 1875. lOO 99 101 - 4ueensland Gcv. 6p. a 100 101 101 - 4. Aus Gov. 6 p. 0.116- 100 - - Do. 1 , 71 4sui,ward t... 10u 107 102 - Vto.tiov. 6 p.c. Ja.&Jul), 100 - - - Do. to ep.o. A.n.A00t...1 100 !IN, 107 BRITISH MINES. 2 ' lambrian Consol. Gold 1 a - Chiverton - jun ora Amalgamated.. - 8$ - >evon G. Con.. (Tavist. i 580 600 - Drakewalis Bassett (Illogan) au 4? 49 - East Caradon ..... 1.14.1 17 18 ~ l ast Carn 8rea....,.., 3.4.0 Of 7 - East Grenville .. 2.7.0. 51 8 - East Lovell .. .. .. ' 13.6. 14k 151 - IVlRussel (Tavistk. 8.13., 5 Of lamASt.Aubyn(Gwen 60, 5 7 4 Great Laxey, all 18 19 - 3 rest South Tolgus... 17s 16 2 - 4. Wheal Vor (Holston 10 334 344 32 - Irenville.. - I ercArs-Foot . »13 55 37 lingston Downs 4.18.t 444 Margaret (tJny Lelani t f 8 9 - 1 arke Valley.. 4 ,lyndv Iron Ore (Lim. 2 . 4 lf 6 gangiles.. - ;ew Settin 214 CO 70 -• Downs. - North Roskear.. . .... - ‘l l / I 'i Basset (111o.pu, 3.10.6 1 2 forth Wheal Crotty 2.8.0 2 2* - Prosper United....,„ , 7.1. e. 2 3 Tovidenoe (Uny Lelnt to 6.7 3 36 - iouth Caradon(St.Cleer 14 ..20 540 7!.Wheal Fran. (Mogan 1 .18. t 33 86 itray Park - fin Croft a 16 17 - West Basset (Illogan).. I f 7 9 V Cr radon (Liskeard 9 7 9 - West Chiverton - West Soton - Basset (Megan, 51 92i 971 - Wheal Buller(liedrutli, 10 9 11 - Wheal Ludt:DU - Wheal Mar yAnn ;Men ; 8 13 15 - Wheal 3eton sBf 195 205 Wheel Trelawney (LIB., 7 17 19 - Wheal Union 4 PREFERENCE SHARES. Great Northern, 41 per cent., red, at 10 per cent. pm., 103 Gt. Western, Wt. Midland, Oxford 2d guaranteed stock, Ditto, West Mid., gua. shares, 51 per cent., 1E63, 51 FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Dutch Rhenish, 221 amur and Liege gua. 14t. per annum, 81 k'OREIGN MINES, BANKS. Mariquita, 1 i Alliance (tritn.), Ditto, new, 35 Ditto, issued at 10 pm., of whioh 10 is pd , 181 British and Californian, lim., British North American, 50 Imperial Ottoman, 17 London and County, 81 London Joint Stook, ni MISCELLANEOUS. Crystal Palace, 32 Egyptian Com. and Trading, lira., English and Australian Copper, 11 Gen. Credit and Finance of London, Ilrn., 7 k International Flnanedal society, lira., 71 M idras Irrigation and Canal, Ditto (all), 20i Societe Finarciere d'Egypte, lira., q Van Land, 9 Liverpool Cotton Market—This Day Market strong. Sales, probably 12,000 bales. The Price of Gold. The quotation of gold at Paris is about 3 per mille pm., and the short exchange on London is 25.20 per £1 sterling. On comparing these rates with the English Mint price of £3 17s. lOid. per ounce for standard gold, it appears that gold is about 2-10th sper cent. dearer in Paris than in London. Oa the eve of Christmas the directors of the London and County Bank distributed to the several officers engaged at the head office and branches 10 per cant. on the amount of their respective salaries, and gave them at the same time a satisfactory re cognition of the value attached to continuous ser vices by presenting each with ss. per cent. in re. spect of every clear year of service. THE WINDBOUND.—On Monday (the wind keep. ing W.N.W.) some hundreds of vessels, the residue of the large windbound feet, sailed from the north•eastern ports. From seven o'clock in the morning until dark at night vessels passed out of the Tyno ; and on Monday night a very large number of vessels bound to all parts of the world were in the North Sea running south. The weather was very fine upon the Northumberland coast on Monday. 87 69 131 132 6 7 34 86 16 17 8) 91 106 108 47i 48} 71 81 13 k 136 156 157 130 132 139 91 79 79, 67 69 58 60 44 46 100 102 1164 117 83 84 105 106 38 40 120 12 4 97 981 61 65 121 )22 130 i 140 103 111 65 66 256 i 65 114 1146 74 73i 104 1041 S7i dBi 11 12 p 9 10 120 125 2 pl 1 1i ' 79 80 101 11} 133 :42 58 69 44 46 86 t6i 8 9 163 168 34 4i i 1,9 111 38 40 100 100 100 '6.13.4 100 100 100 all rHE SUN, LONDON', WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 2B, 1864. rt junifgt HER MAJESTY. OSBORNE, Dec. 27. The Queen, Princess Helena, and Princess Louise walked in the grounds yesterday. ---o THE KING OF THE BELGIANS.—His Majesty King of the Belgians and the Count of Flanders have re turned to Brussels from the Royal chateau in the Forest of Ardennes, During the time the King passed there he was most arduous in put suit of sport, and besides four wild boars, brought down a great number of roebucks, foxes, hares, and other denizens of the forest. The Duchess of Norfolk, who has been suffering from indisposition for some weeks past, is now, we are glad to learn, much better, The Earl and Countess of Ciarendon are enter. .aining a select party at The Grove, near Waterford. The Earl and Countess of Spencer are entertain ing a family circle at Althorp Park, Northamptonshire. Viscount Sr. Vincent has been entertaining a select shooting party, at his seat, near Maidstone, during the past week. Baroness Biome was safely delivered of a son on Christmas morning. Baroness Blame and infant are doing well, Lord and Lady Rokeby are entertaining a select circle at their seat, Hazlewood, Herts. Lord and Lady William Osborne are expected in town in a few days from Haziewood, where they have been staying on a visit to Lord and Lady Rokeby. Lord and Lady Char:es Bruce have left town on a visit to the Earl and Countess Spencer at Althorp Park, Northamptonshire. Lord Claude Hamilton has arrived in town from Beaudesert, Staffordshire, where his lordship has been staying on a visit to the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn. Lady Louisa DJuglas Pennant and the Misses Pennant have arrived at Penryn Castle from visiting the Right Hon.,W. E. and Mrs,Gladstone at Hawarden Castle, Chester. Sir Coutta and Lady Lindsay have left town for Paris. DEATH OF THE ARCHDUKE LOUIS JOSEPH.— The Archduke Louis Joseph, younger brother bf the late Emperor Francis 1. of Austria, and who was attacked not long since with an indisposition apparently of little gravity, has just died, aged 80. He was torn at Florence in 1784, and during the reigns of his brothers Ferdinand I. and Francis 1., exercised a considerable influence on the Go vernment. LATER POSTING IN LONDON OF LETTERS FOR THE NIGHT MAlLS.—Hitherto the latest time for posting letters at ehe district and branch offi2es for - the night mails has been 6.45 p.m. on payment of a late fee of one penny. The Postmaster-General, however, with a view of affording the public the means of posting letters for the country by the night mails up to the latest possible time, has issued a notification, stating that arrangements have been made, which will commence on the 2nd of January next, for receiving letters for all the night mails at the General Post Office, and at the district and branch offices in London, up to 7.15 p.m., on payment of a late fee of twopence—and for receiving at the counter of the several district offices, and of the Charing-cross branch office, up to 7.45 p.m., with a like fee of 2d,, letters to be despatched to the country from the railway stations adja cent to such district and branch offices respectively. On and from the same date the fee for receiving late letters at the General Post-office between 7.15 and 7.30 p.m., and at the London railway stations up to the time of the departure of the trains, will be reduced from 6d to 4d, and the time for closing the boxes at the General Post-office, and at the Lom bard-street branch office for letters paying a late fee of ld, will ba altered from 7 p,m. to 6.45 p.m. In all oases the postage, as well as the late fees, must be prepaid by stamps affixed to the letters. THE LATE GLASGOW FERRY-BOAT ACCIDENT.-- The searehjforthe missing bodies of Messrs. Glen and Henderson was discontinued during last week, all hope of finding them by the usual process of dragging having been given up. Considering how promptly all the other bodies were recovered, the complete disappearance of the remains of these unfortunate gentlemen has naturally given rise to much speculation and conjecture. Some have supposed that they may have been caught by the copper sheathing on the bottom of some of the vessels and carried far down the river or perhaps out to sea, The more probable theory, however, is that they have got under some of the larger class of ships and been pressed down as the tide fell into the soft bed of the river, It happens not unfrequently that bodies which have been thus interred after drowning are brought up by the dredging machines; but this is just one of those dad cases in which the imaginations of sorrowing friends may weary themselves with vain guesses, yet find no other consolation than that which an enlightened Christian trust may afford. In connection with this painful subject we may state that we have heard the question started as to how far the insur ance offices may consider themselves liable to discharge their obligations to policyholders where there is no certain evidence of death having occurred. For example, we under stand that Mr Glen had his life insured with the Scottish Widows' Fund for £3,000, with additions, and the doubt which has arisen is whether payment of this to the family might not be delayed on the technical ground alleged.— Glasgow Citizen. SUPPOSED CHILD MURDER.—The magistrates at Think were engaged on Monday in hearing a charge of child murder which had been preferred against Elizabeth Gibson, 19 years of age, and Mr George Fox, an old man, who carried on business at Sowerby, and in whose service the other prisoner formerly lived. About a fortnight ago Mr R. J. Fox, nephew of the male prisoner, while shooting over land adjoining the village of Sowerby, saw the body of an infant floating in a pond, Mr Inspector Smith had the body removed to:the union workhouse, where an inquest which was held resulted in a verdict of wilful murder against some person or person unknown. Mr Smith since ascertained that the female prisoner had been delivered of a child shortly before leaving the male prisoner's service at Martinmas. She was arrested on the charge, and it is said implicated the elder prisoner. After a short consulta tion the bench said there was no legal evidence against Fox, who was discharged—and as for the girl, they should com mit her for trial on a charge of concealment of birth only. A NOVEL MODE OF ROBBERY.—A young gentle man going to the Continent took a through ticket from Glasgow to London one day last week,. He had with him a considerable deal of luggage, among which was a trunk labelled with his name and destination. He saw it put into the van, but was not a little astonished on arriv ng in London to find that it had disappeared, He made in quiry at the guard, and was informed that a telegram had been sent to an intermediate station, he understood by the railway company, to send the trunk back to Glasgow, and it was accordingly taken out and left at the station without the consent or knowledge of the passenger. At a loss to understand this proceeding, he telegraphed to his friends in Glasgow, who, on inquiry, found that the telegram had been sent by a tall Irish woman, rather good-looking, and about thirty years:of age. She had probably noted the address on the trunk before it had been put into the van, and had taken this bold proceeding to obtain it. She waited for the return of the trunk, and then employed a porter, but fied ing it too heavy for h m to carry, she hired a cab, and, along with a man who had joined her, proceeded to lodge ings at the south side, where they had to get money from the landlady to pay for the cab. Next morning, the man appeared redressed from head to foot, from what ho had appropriated from the trunk, and the woman and he went out and no doubt proceeded to a pawn-office, as they re turned shortly afterwards and paid off the landlady for the time they had been with her—about a fortnight—and then procured a cab and made off.—. North British Mail. OUR HEIGHT.—Among all the adults of all classes measured by M. Quetelet, ho found that fully developed and well-formed men varied from four feet ten to six feet two, with an average of five feet six; and that fully developed and well-formed women varied from four feet seven to five feet eight, with an average of about five feet two. Professor J. D. Forbes, of Edinburgh, about thirty years ago, measured about eight hundred young fellows at Edinburgh University; those at twenty-five were a little, and only a little, taller than those at twenty, and presented an average of five feet nine and a half—lrishmen bt ing a little taller at that age than Scotchmen, and Scotchmen a little taller than Englishmen. But these had their shoes and boots on, and were nearly all from the well-to-do classes. And, moreover, as the professor remarks, little men don't like to come forward to be measured. All things considered—shoes taken off, various classes selected, and all ages from twenty to sixty—the average of well-formed Englishmen cannot be far removed from five feet seven, about an inch taller than average Belgians, and rather more in excess of average Frenchmen-- Dickens' s "All the Year Round." UNCOMMONLY COOL.—On Thursday, on the Midland Railroad Company's new line between Whalley Bridge and Buxton, at a place called Bugsworth, one of the sides of a deep sand cutting at the mouth of a tunnel suddenly gave way, killing ono man and imprison ing eleven others and four horses in the tunnel. A num ber of men were set to work to remove the fall of sand, and the night had far advanced before they had effected their object. To their surprise they found the eleven navvies had been steadily pursuing their work in the tunnel all the time. The:men had held a consultation, at which they had corbe to the conclusion that proper steps would be taken to liberate them, and as they could do nothing towards it themselves they might as well pursue their ordinary tasks. From 200,000 to 300,000 tons of earth had fallen at the mou h of the tunnel. por A t l e U rs N o l f F t l h C e E ß N r T iti ll sh OLA m Ti e O f N or . to learn that the most honourable the Mar q uis of West "--InrcruilreablfersieNnvidllsbao ngdrastiufiped minster has presented to that institution the noble sum of 41,000, Execution at Chelmsford—This Day. This morning, at 10 o'clock, the unhappy criminal, Francis Wane, under sentence of death in Springfield gaol far the murder of Amelia Blunt, at Chadwell-heath, expi• ated his offence on the gallows, at the hands of Calera% the common hangman. The prisoner, up to the last moment, continued to eat and drink well, and readily conversed with the warders. He says that Mr Bowers, the surgeon, was wrong when he said there were three wounds on deceased's neck, as he only made two ; and to the chief warder he thus described the circum stances of the orime—" When I saw she was in the kitchen washing at the boiler I slipped in behind her as quietly as I could. I had the knife in my right hand, and I threw my left arm round her head. She turned her bead halt round and said, " Good God, Toddy, what are you doing here ?' I did not answer, but cut her throat, making two wounds. She struggled and got hold of the copper to get from me before I cut her the second time, but I did it, and then left her. She pulled the plaster off the copper side in trying to pull herself back from my grasp." Wane paid the most respectful attention to the ministrations of the chap lain, and seemed fully alive to the heinousness of his crime. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. A COAL MERCHANT CHARGED WITH FRAUD.—John Weedman, described as a coal merchant, of 136, Prince of Wales-road, Kentish-town, was brought before Mr Tyr whitt by Rosekelly, one of the warrant officers, on a war rant, charged with obtaining a quantity of shirts and hosiery of the value of £5 6s from Mr J. F, Hammond, shirt maker, Alfred House, 374, Oxford-street, with intent to de fraud. Mr Hammond said that on Dec. 19 the prisoner came to my shop and selected shirts and other articles amounting to £5 Es, and requested that they might be sent to his private address, 136, Prinoe of Wales-road, Kentish-town, at the time representing himself as a coal merchant at the Chalk Farm Station, and handing me a bill-head with the name of Weedman, coal merchant, Chalk Farm Station, upon it, and afterwards writing his private address upon it. I in quired of a person whether the name of Weedman was known at Camden-town, and finding it was, I sent the goods by a boy. I afterwards found that the place at Chalk farm station had been given up, and the landlord said the prisoner had not been there for two months, but that he had lived there. I sent the goods on the faith of the represen tation that the prisoner had a business at Chalk-farm sta tion and on the bill-head. Prisoner—Are you positive I said I was in business at la place ? Prosecutor—Yes. Prisoner--I am at liberty to open the place whenever I Alexander Bridger, a youth in Mr Hammond's employ, said he left the parcel at 136, Prince of Wales-road, with a female, who said the prisoner would pay for the goods. Thomas Rosekelly, 68 C, said—l have been to his (the prisoner'9) residence on several occasions, but have never been enabled to see the prisoner. Last night he was brought to me by Culling, 153 S, to whom I had previ ously shown the warrant. I also went to Chalk Farm Station, and saw the landlord, Mr Vinall, who said he (the prisoner) had obtained goods in a similar manner from other tradesmen, and I believe, if your worship will remand the prisoner, several other charges will be preferred. - Remanded. Trial Trip of the Federal Torpedo Boat Stromboli, The first built of the new class of ironclad ves sels, called torpedo boats, on which the attention of the naval authorities of all countries is at pre.. sent directed as threatening to produce another complete revolution in maritime warfare, has been recently despatched on an experimental trip, of which the following account is given by the New York News On the 25th inst. the Stromboli made an experimental trip to thoroughly test all her machinery, and on Saturday she took her departure from these waters for the purpose of making her debut upon the stage of active operations, and, we may be permitted to say, to fully demonstrate the power, efficiency. and destructiveness of this new system of naval warfare. Before we proceed to describe the trial trip, let us first give a brief outline of the history of the vessel, and even to go back to the inception of the idea. Several years ago William W. W. Wood, the present senior chief engineer of the United States navy, conceived the idea of using the submarine torpedo in a manner not previously experimented upon or known. As the time passed the sim plicity and perfect working of his plans became so patent that he felt satisfied in his mind that it would perform the work required beyond a doubt. Less than two years ago the subject was casually brought to the no tice of Admiral Gregory, who immediately urged upon the Navy Department the appointment of a board of examiners to inquire into the merits of the invention and report upon the same. The board, composed of some of the most practical officers in the service, unanimously reported in its favour, recommending the construction of a vessel to fully demonstrate the idea. The Naval Department, alive to the great importance of the system, immediately ordered the construction of what is now the Stromboli. First Assistant Engineer John L. Lay, a young officer who had also been investigating the subject of torpedo warfare, was selected to superintend the construction of the vessel and her machinery. As it was necessary to keep the matter quiet, and beyond the inquisitive eye of traitors and foreign mercenaries, the hull was built at Fair Haven, Connecti cut; the engines at Mystic, Connecticut; and the torpedo machinery at Schenectady, New York. Mr Samuel H Cook, a young and skilful naval architect, was selected to build the hull; the Reliance Machine Company, the pro pelling engines; the Clute Brothers, the torpedo machi nery; and Benjamin and Root the torpedo engines; and in ' this way the work was distributed, so that it was not easy for the inquisitive to put all the parts together end be much the wiser. After she was launched she was towed to Mys tic, and there received her boilers and engines. From thence she came over to Messrs Secorts' yard at Jersey City, where she received her deck plating, pilot house, and her final comi leting;. Such is the brief history of the inception and production of the first torpedo boat of the United States navy, designed, built, and sailed by native born citizens. On Friday, the 25th inst., the little Strom boli made her experimental trip to test her propulsive and torpedo engines. She left the wharf at Secorts' yard about 11 o'clock a.m., and under the pilotage of Captain John 111 4 Ginn, proceeded up the Hudson River some distance, making an average speed of nine knots per hour, and steer ing beautifully from on top of the pilot house as well as from below decks. After some tests of the propulsive ma chinery it was decided to fire a wood torpedo of the same pattern as was furnished to and used with such success by by Lieut. Cushing in the destruct of the rebel ram Albe marle. The torpedo was charged with only 481bs of powder, and was placed in the basket, run out, detached, and when at a given point, about one foot below the surface of the water, it was exploded, less than 2t minutes being consumed in the whole operation. The explosion, and the peculiar ap pearance of the column of water thrown up by the torpedo, can be but poorly described with a pen ; instantaneeus pace tography might have done it, but no painter could have depicted the scene with justice. The water was thrown up about 180 ft in a perpendicular column, which measured about 10ft in diameter. Branching off from the main column were thick jets of heavy spray, or rather broad sheet of snowy white water, which the breeze bore back on the deck of the vessel. Around th is huge column of water and mingling with the jets, the whitish fantastic clouds of powder smoke circled, making a beautiful picture, ever changing and pass• ing away in a brief space of time. The torpedo, when ex ploded, was only 15 feet distant from the bow of the vessel, yet the shock, as felt on board, was very slight indeed. Everyone was charmed with the experiment. It was now decided to try a torpedo placed 20 feet below the surface of the water, about the same distance from the bow of the vessel. The torpedo contained 601bs of powder, and was placed in position as in the former experiment, but was exploded by Beardsley's magnetic electric machine, a beautiful spe cimen of art. The explosion at the time produced different results, and still more interesting. The water was 30 feet deep, and the torpedo at the instant of explosion was ten feet from the bed of the river; consequently it was a trifle longer before the tremendous result made itself manifest. When it did come it was awfully grand. A black cone, surmounting a blacker column, arose from the surface and quickly mounted aloft, at least three score feet, being 20 feet in diameter and thick with mud. The muddy jets did not leave the column quite as soon as in, the former experiment, but the white smoke curling round the dark centre column made a picture novel, and at the same time one which a reflecting mind could not fail to be awed with. It presented an unmistakable evidence of the power which the machine possessed for harm, and which, at times lying dormant, could be roused in an incalculable short space of time, and let loose for the destruction of life and property. The shock of this torpedo was felt over a space of about 150 yards in diameter ; it lifted, or felt as if it did, the bow of the vessel about nine inches, but pro ducing no unpleasant sensation. Space prevents us from going into the details of the sensations experienced while witnessing these experiments, We are satisfied that this vessel, for destructive purposes, has no equal in the world. No ironclad can withstand its power. It is perfectly safe to operate in, and the nearer she approaches an enemy the safer she becomes; while every foot nearer she approaches her victim only hastens her certain destruction. The ex periments being over the Stromboli and her consort, Picket boat No. 6, steamed back to their stations." CURIOUS NEW YEAR'S-DAY CUSTOMS.—January 1, 1865. So we must date our letters to-day, and just as merchants of years gone by would head their new ledgers with " Laus Deo," we would do the same, or rather write that word of Bible note, " Ebenezer," and say, "Hitherto has the Lord helped us." " January" we call this month, as the Romans did from their god Janus, who, at the threshold of the New Year, stood with two faces, one looking back on the past and the other forward to the future. He was the god of gates and avenues, and held a key in his right hand and a rod in his left, to sym bolise his opening and ruling the year ; and sometimes he held the number 300 in one hand and 65 in the other, to signify the number of days in the year. The Saxons call the month Wolfmonth, because wolves, driven by hunger, were wont to prowl about and attack even men in their de• sire for food. It was also called by the Saxons, " .et fter. Yule," or after Christmas. The month was often repre sented by a man with faggots and a woodman's axe, shaking and blowing his fingers, Tbo Ist January, according to some, Was ushered in with rejoicings, presents. and good wishes as early as the days of Romulus and Tacitus, and the usual presents then were figs and dates covered with leaf gold; and pieces of pottery have been discovered bearing inscriptions, and evidently intended for presents, commemo rative of the season. In our own country, so far back as the timetrof the ancient Britons, we read of Druids, on a certain day, cutting down branches of mistletoe with a golden knife, and distributing them as gifts for the New Year. Coming farther down, we find our kings receiving and, as some say, extorting presents from their subjects. Bath Henry 111, and Edward VI. are mentioned by an antique. rian writer, the former requiring New Year's gifts, the lat ter rewarding from the public revenue those officers and servants who had sent presents to the "King's Majestie." In Henry VIII.'s reign honest old Latimer is said to have given to the King, instead of a purse of gold, as was the custom, a New Testament, with the leaf turned down at Heb. xiii. 4. Good Queen Bess, too, received her share of princely gifts from her nobles and courtiers—very princely, if wo ruayjudge from lists given by Dr Drake in his " Shakspere and his Times." Oranges stuck with cloves were popular gifts, and pine were considered acceptable by ladies of the 15th century, when wooden skewers were the only things they had to fasten their dresses. Sometimes they receive money instead ; hence allowances for their separate use oame to bo called "pin money." Gloves were often given as New Year's gifts. Sir Thomas More, when Lord Chan cellor, having given judgment in favour of a certain lady, received on the next New Year's day a pair of gloves, with 40 angels inside. In thanking her, Sir Thomas said, "It would be against good manners to forsake a gentlewoman's New Year's gift, and I accept the gloves. their lining you will be pleased to bestow otherwise," We could lengthen this paper beyond proper limits by telling of customs in dif ferent parts of England and Scotland, Of 0 Candlemas bull and Riding Stang," the former a custom in the High lands, where " mu nese choil owe." "My Candlemas bond upon you," is the customary salutation, and he who, on coming down in the morning , is the first to say this, be comes entitled to a gift from the person saluted. The latter custom prevails in the north of England, where the "stang" or "cowl-staff," a large basket with two handles, is (milled about, and whoever does not join the procession of merry youngsters is mounted across the stang, and not let off till they come to the door of the next public -house, where the payment of 6d releases the prisoner.—Churclunan' s Fariily Maga4ine, PROPOSED CENTRAL SCOTTISH HALL IN LONDON —At a meeting composed of the representatives of the Highland Society of London, the Caledonian Society of London, the London Scottish Volunteers , the Scottish Hospital, and the Caledonian Asylum, and held at the hall of the Scottish Hospital on Wednesday last, Sir J. Heron Maxwell in the chair, on the motion of Dr George Webster, seconded by Captain Mackenzie, it was unanimously re solved, "That it is very de s irable to have a central build ing for the business purposes of the various Scottish So cieties in London, and for other national objects." The raeeting then resolved itself into a committee, and adjourned till the 31st of January next, when the propriety of calling a public meeting of the Seotchmen in London will be cussed, 105 i 5 1211 641 1 41 144 V 791 Business don. THAMES. AN IRISH Row.—Bridet Noylan, a large Irish woman, was brought before Mr Partridge charged with cutting and wounding Ellen Dillon, who appeared in a rueful condi tion. Her clothes were saturated with gore, and there were surgical plasters on her face. Her hair was matted with blood. She stated that she lived at 15, White Hart-place, Poplar. The prisoner lived in the same house. She said her poor little children were in their bed, their father being on the salt seas, when the prisoner's father came in very drunk, and wanted to stop there. She turned him out, and he swore that he would be revenged. Soon afterwards the prisoner came home and said are you able to fight me. She expressed no objection at all, and they were about to fight when the prisoner took up a chopper and beat her with it and cut her face and head. While she was down the prisoner seized her by the hair of the head, dragged her about the house and kicked her. The prisoner said that Mrs Dillon turned her poor old father into the street and struck the first blow. Mr Partridge fined the prisoner 40s, and in default com mitted her for a month to the House of Correction: MARKETS—This Day. MARK LANE. The arrivals of English wheat ,fresh up to our market to-day were very moderate, Selected parcels were in fair average request, at full prices; otherwise, the English wheat trade was quiet, on former terms. There was a good supply of foreign wheat on the stands. American descriptions moved off steadily at full prices. Other kinds of foreign wheat met a slow sale, at late rates. Floating cargoes of grain were in fair average request, at previous quotations. The supply of barley on sale was tolerably large. Malt• ing descriptions were in slow demand, at late rates. Grind ing and distilling qualities sold slowly at late currencies. The malt trade was dull at about previous quotations. The market was well supplied with oats. In harvest de scriptions a fair sample business was transacted, and prices ruled tolerably firm. New Russian produce, however, was somewhat difficult of sale. _ . Beans and peas were in slow request at late rates. Flour changed hands to a limited extent on former terms. ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour. English 6O 530 350 2,010 370 Irish .. .—. 6,130 — eke brls Foreign 3,790 WHITECUAPEL. - The supply of meat on sale was but moderate. The trade was steady, as follows : Beef, from 2s 10d to 4s 8d ; mutton, 3s 8d to 5s ; veal, 3s 10d to 4510 d ; and pork, 3s 8d to 4s 10d per Bibs, by the oaroase. BOROUGH HOP. Very little business is passing in hops to-day. Prices however, rule stationary. Pedestrianism , BROMPTON. RACE BETWEEN FORD OF LAMBETH, AND SAMPSON OF CLERKBNWELL.—The first-named of these pedestrians is a lad well known to metropolitan patrons of the sport. The last match he appeared in was when he contended with Rogers, on the above ground, some short period since, Ford on that occasion obtained a clever victory. Rogers was looked upon as too good a man to cause any success obtained over him to be regarded as unimportant. Sampson is a lad who, like Ford, has obtained consider able distinction among his compeers ; for, with one ex ception, he has never yet had to play second fiddle. The meeting, as announced, took place on Mr J. Roberts's Ground, and caused a good muster to assemble, notwith• standing the intense coldness of the weather. The dis tance the pedestrians had to run was 130 yards, the stakes pending the issue in the aggregate amounting to £4O. The betting opened at evens, but after some few attempts had been made to get on at this price, Ford was made the fa.. vourite at 6to 4. The referee haying been appointed the pedestrians came to the mark, having to start by consent. They were in admirable fettle. There was, nevertheless, a mutual wish to lose no time in " fencing" on the mark in a cutting N.E. wind, and there was not more than five or six minutes thus consumed, Sampson, as a warming up of the system, coming away some three or four times, when "'They are off," was the cry from all parts of the course. This final bcund from the scratch had been decidedly cleverly effected ; but although Ford had watched the rapid movements of his man with a keen eye, he could not prevent Sampson from coming away with the lead of a good yard. On came the Clerkenwell champion at a slashing pace, followed by Ford, and a struggle replete with excitement ensued. When 100 yards of the race had been accomplished, Ford, although he had from the start succeeded in diminishing the space between them in some trifEng degree, was still to the rear. This might be looked upon as the critical moment of the race, for there were now but some 30 paces between the gallant competitors and the goal. Sampson was as yet to the front, and as he was maintaining the struggle at the same stinging pace as at starting, his partisans were confident he was to be number one at the finish. In a moment, however, these hopes were dashed down, for when within some dozen yards of the " tape," Ford, who had closed on his opponent, came to the front and went in the winner of this admirably sustained struggle by a yard and a half. CHRISTMAS IN TUE CORONER'S COURT.—In the lists of the Liverpool Borough Coroner Court, yesterday, there was a startling array of fatalities. No less than 30 deaths requiring investigation had been reported between Saturday and Monday night. Of these two or three had been caused by drowning ; one or two by accidents in the streets ; four by burning and similar casualties ; 15 of the bodies had been found dead, and three were unknown. The coroner was of opinion that 26 only required the attention of a jury, and 26 of these would ba gone into this day (Wed nesday), when the usual cases will probably have increased the total to something short of 30. ROMAN CATHOLIC CEREMONY. Yesterday morning an elaborate ceremony was performed at St John's Catholic Church, Duncan terrace, Islington, under the direction of the Rev Canon Oakeley, formerly a clergyman of the Established Church. The celebration was in honour of the patron's day. At 11 o'clock there was Pontifical High Mass, the sermon being preached by the Very Rev Canon Muria, At Vespers the sermon was preached by the Very Rev Father Rowe, of the Brompton Oratory, At the High Mass there was a full choir and band, and many of the religious orders of London were present. The New Association of Ireland. LETTER FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF TUAM. The Lion of the Fold of Jadah has recently published the following letter, addressed to Alder man J. B. Dillon, and dated St. Jarlath's, Tuam, December 6 : Dear Sir,—l am in receipt of your respected letter, and the accompanying requisition to the Lord Mayor, to call an aggregate meeting, with a view to forming an association for the objects stated in the requisition. With regard to the objects there can be no question of their great importance, and the only wonder is how the representatives of Ireland, at least those of the popular constituencies, have been so long and so generally silent on the legislative requirements of the country up to the eve of the dissolution of Parlia ment. But though there is no question regarding the im portance of the objects not so with the agency proposed to carry them into serious and practical effect. The zeal to found an association at this crisis reminds us of the great association founded in 1851, and from its fate, and the consequences that followed, one may draw a lesson in estimating what would be probaby the result of the pro jected association. No association now to be formed for the good of Ireland could surpass, or probably equal it in the number and order of its members, in the pledges by which the fidelity of parliamentary candidates was sought to be secured, or in, the unusual solemnity with which its first meeting was inaugurated. The sequel need not be told. It is written in the present prostrate condition of the coun try and the dispersion of of its people, Yes, after allowing in latter times, their own share to bad harvests, this state of things is brought about by the breach of the covenants then made by the treachery of the representatives then unfortunately trusted by the acquiescence of entire and principally corrupt municipal constitu encies—in the scandalous violation of engagements of which they were the witnesses, it not the securities, and finally, the ominous silence of a large portion of the once popular press, at first rather, , loud in its censures of the political apostasy, but gradually adopting a more tolerant tone, until it sub sided into gentle condonation of this hideous national be. trayab Nay more, those infamous men who betrayed the best interests of the country were not content with silence on their misdeeds, but had the hardihood, together with their supporters, to assume the language of complaint, and to arraign the conduct of those clergy and people who laboured to carry out the policy to which all classes of society were then so clearly committed. Are we then justified in expecting from the association now contemplated more favourable results P lam nut insensible to the lamentable condition of the country, or to the necessity of great and generous exertions to save the people from utter extermination, nor am I indifferent to the observations regretting the want of union, and expressive of a wish that all past errors and mistakes should be for gotten. The long-continued reluctance to unite with con victed delinquents, and the speedy failure that followed every attempt to create such an association, are matters of deep significance. They show what a shock has been given to public confidence, which must be restored ere there can be a hope of forming any effective confederation. This caution in trusting objects so often delusive, through the dishonesty of those who betrayed the people, is creditable to the virtue of the nation. Finding how much they were deceived and injured by public men, the people should naturally expect from those who were parties to the injury and deceit a sincere and sorrowful acknowledgment of their errors, as well as a sincere pledge of their resolve not to repeat them before they could again be invested with the country's confidence. This should be the first neces sary preliminary to the construction of any national asso ciation. But it may be said that there was no such delinquency as is assumed, and that therefore there is no need of apology or reparation. I have no doubt but this is the opinion of several who would wish to take a prominent part in the association. The avowal of that opinion would be credit able to their candour, and not less useful in enabling the people to shape their own course, than the confession of having pursued a wrong career. Giving, then, this large section of the community credit for sincerity in their views who can see nothing faulty in what has been done, and who have not a word or a feeling of reproach for the most notorious of dead or living public delinquents, what is to be expected from an association in which these opinions might prevail ? Nothing, in all consistency, but that those who hold them are prepared to play over again the same old game in which they could see no harm. To sanction such a result it would be the 'probable one—l am not at all prepared. I cannot enter into alliance with any who manifest no regret for the violation of former solemn engagements. To have been once deceived is in no way discreditable. It only argues a too generous confidence in the faith and integrity of our fellowmen. But to be deceived again, by entering into unconditional fellow • ship with many who were unfaithful to their trust, one could scarcely escape the reproach of being a willing party to the deception. Such are my views on the important subject of the re.. quisition, and which I feel due to you, to myself, and to the country thus to explain in reply to your communication. If I thought that against a large section of men, 'who look solely to their narrow, individual interests, careless of the fate of the great mass of the people, you and some few others in whom I have confidence could muster a sufficient force to be at their post to watch and bass their selfish de• signs, I might then be induced to give any little influence I may have to the experiment. But, aware that the sell seekers are always more ingenious in devising, and more active in prosecuting their schemes than those who genera ously labour for the common weal, I must respectfully de cline affixing my signature to the requisition.—l have the honour to remain, my dear sir, your faithful servant, JOHN, Archbishop of Tuam. J. B. Dillon, Esq. FRENCH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.—At the last sitting 6t letter was read from M. de Tchihatchef describing the phenomena attending an earthquake expe rienced by him at Florence on the 12th inst. During the month of November there had been abundant rains, and a vio'ent south wind had prevailed, which, towards the end of the month, changed to N.E., and up to the 11th inst. the weather had been beautiful, the mean temperature being 10 deg. centrigrade above freezing-point, and the minimum not exceeding 3 deg, below. On the 11th the wind turned again to the south, but the sky was still clear, and the mean barometrical reading was 759 6 millimetres (29 0 inches), On the 12th the wind blew from the S., S.W., and N.W,, the thermometer was 111 deg., and the barometer 757 . 9. At 50 minutes past four, p.m , a strong undu latory shock was felt, which lasted ten seconds, and was followed by two other slighter shocks at 6 and 50 minutes past 6 p.m. Immediately afterwards the sky became overcast, the: thermometer fell to 750 4, and it rained incessantly for the three following days. The centre of the commotion was found to be of Fares zsla, 45 kilom. north of Florence. What renders this observation re markable is, that at Florence earthquakes are rare, and that:the centre of the commotion manifested itself for the first time in the limestone of the Appenines. M. Hou zcau sent in an analysis of common , hydrochloric :acid, showing that it contained between two and nine gms. .of arsenic. Dr Netter communicated oertain observations of his, from which he concludes that in typhus fever the state of the patient's mouth ought not to be disregarded. It is generally the seat of corrupt matter, which becomes brown, sooty, and even black, attracting parasites, and emitting fetid emana tions, Now the air penetrating into the lungs passes through this focus of infection, and putrid air is thus con veyed into those important organs. Is it not probable, Dr Netter asks, that the continual ingestion of bad air contri butes more or less to the production of the "putrid pheno mena" which characterise the malady ? He states that, following up this idea, he has prescribed abundant acid gargles, which seem to have produced beneficial effects, According to an account published by the post. office at Vienna there are 103 political journals in the Aus trian possessions, of which 56 are in German, 27 Italian, Sclavonic, 3 Polish, 3 Hungarian, 2 Ruthenian, 1 each Slovenian, Croatian, Illyrian, Roumain, and Armenian. There are also 145 non-political ones-74 German, 50 Italian, 7 Sclavonic, 5 Polish, 5 Hungarian, 2 Slovenian, and 1 each Croatian and Illyrian, A letter from Vienna contains the following rather singular robbery :—" A rich widow lady, residing with an old servant at Balassa-Gyarmath, lately visited Professor Skoda to consult him for an affliction of the chest from which she was suffering, and after getting his advice again left Vienna. In the evening a well-dressed man called at her house and said he had bean sent by M. Skoda to add a few words to the prescription given her in the morning, and he was admitted without hesitation. The moment he was alone with the lady he drew from his pocket a handkerchief strongly impregnated with chloroform, and dexterously placing it to her nose produced instant insensi bility, He then opened a secretary from which he took some bank-notes and jewellery, and immediately left with out exciting any suspicion. About a quarter of an hour after the lady recovered animation, and the robbery was discovered." The third annual festival of the Church Mission ary Society was celebrated on Thursday last at Trieste by a sale of fancy work and a huge Christmas tree at the house of the British chaplain. The work was contributed prin cipally by the juvenile members of the English Church. The entrance of her Majesty's cJnsul, who arrived at the lighting of the tree, was greeted by the singing of the Na tional Anthem. The sale realised about 180 florins. The Berlin journals relate the following incident which has just taken pace in Prussia :—A points. man was at the junction of two lines of railway, his lever in hand, for a train was signalled. The engine was within a few seconds of reaching the embankment, when the man, on turning his head, perceived his little boy playing on the rails of the line the train was to pass over. With an heroic devotedness to his duty the unfortunate man adopted a stlb• limo resolution. " Lie down !" he shouted to the child, bul as to himself he remained at his post. The train passed on its way, and the lives of 100 passengers were perhaps saved. But the poor child 1 The father rushed forward expect ing: to take up only a corpse, but what was hi s j o y on finding that the boy had at once obeyed his order—he had lain down, and the whole train had passed o ver hi m with out injury. The next day the King sent for the man and at tached to hie breast the medal for civil courage."i SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, EALING STEEPLILCHASES. The cross-country events, which, on account of the frost, were postponed from Monday and Tuesday, are fixed to come off, weather permitting, oze Thursday (to-morrow) and Friday. Should the weather be "open" on those days the stakes yet to fill will close on the evening before rune ning respectively. BETTING AT MANCHESTER—TuzsvIT. WATERLOO COURSING CUP. 20 to 1 agst Lord Vffington's nomination (t. and off:A . 6d) 25 to 1 agst Mr Jardine's nomination (taken) 25 to 1 agst Mr Haywood's nomination (taken) 33 to 1 agst Mr Bake's nomination (offered) 40 to 1 apt Mr Stocker's nomination (offered) THE DERBY. sto 1 agst Liddington (offered) 10 to 1 agat Breadalbane (offered) 25 to 1 agat Christmas Carol (taken) 40 to 1 agst The Buck (taken) RACING FIXTURES FOR 1865. JANUARY. Manchester .............. FEBRUARY. Lincoln Spring MARCH. .. 2 Derby Spring 2 Liverpool Spring Shrewsbury Spring Doncaster Sprirg . • ...... 14 Warwick Spring ....... 2 ,, Chelmsford Spring .... / . 3 - IL. Northampton 4 Crorton Park 7 Durham l7 Newmarket Craven Catterick Bridge ...... 19 Think . 2l Epsom Spring Newmarket lst . Spring.. 1 Chester York Spring Salisbury Bath Epsom Summer 3O Epsom Summer (con.) 1 Iklanchester 7 Ascot .. l3 Alexandra Park 2O Hampton .. 21 Newton Newcastle Worcester Summer SLY. Newmarket July Carlisle Pontefract Nottingham Summer .. 1 ,8 Chesterfield Goodwood Huntingdon Reading Egham Oxford Plymouth .. 24 Lichfield Devon and Exeter 29 Derby Summer .. 30 York August 5... 22 Weyinouth Weymouth (continued).. 1 Leicester Doncaster Brecon Itich.iond Monmouth Manchester Autumn Newmarket Ist October, '26 OCTOBER Northallerton Newmarket Second Oct 9 I Worcester Autumn .„. 31 NOVEMBER. Worcester Autumn (continued) 1 Now ready, G. SHELTON'S Derby Guide, ls. G. R. Glenie, Sporting Library, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park L Sunday Times Office,Fleet-street ; and all agents. LOCKET'S Derby Analysis at a glance shows what tae field for the Blue Riband will be selected from ; and oon tains also selections for all the great three-year-old eontesste, selections for Manchester meeting, Waterloo Cup s & c . Price one shilling; had from Sunday Times office, end all the usual agents, or from E. Locket, Box L 2, Manchester, and G. R. Glenie, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. PRICE ONE SHlLLlNG.—Nimrod's (Editor of the " Turf") " Analysis of the Derby, Two Thousand, and, Oaks ;" together with a copious index of dates of the morJt remarkable racing occurrences.—" Turf " Office, 3, Shr,e., lane, Fleet-street ; and Glenie's Sporting Library, Con.. naught• terrace, Hyde-park, W. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE—This day. LONDON, Dec. 28.—Wind this day at noon—North. Westerly ; moderate breeze, aad fine weather, but rathe r cloudy. QUEENSTOWN, Deo. 27.—Wind W.—Arrived—Chri a . tina Brooklemon, from Odessa. CLYDE, Dec. 26.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrived—lrle, from Demerara. Sailed—Eleanor Dixon, for Valparaiso---China, for Demerara. PORTSMOUTH, Deo. 27.—Wind W.—Arrived—Helena and Anna, from Tjilulagof for Amsterdam. PLYMOUTH, Dec. 26.—Wind N.E. — Arrived—Suffolk, from London for Melbourne. SWANSEA, Deo. 27.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Vulcan, from Bordeaux. 4DUNDEE, Dec. 27.—Wind S.E.—Sailed—Brilliant, for Quebec. FALMOUTH, Dec. 26.—Wind S.W.—Sailed—Erie, for Bombay. GRIMSBY, Dec. 27.—Wind S.W.—Arrived--Lord Car digan, screw steamer, from Hamburg—Francis Arcot, from San Sebastian. al, ..... ... (BY MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Wednesday Morning. Arrived—Holland, steamer, from Ostend. DEAL, Wednesday Morning. Passed, Dec. 28.—Pilgrim, for Syria—Maria Fortuna, for Cardiff—both from London—Seine and Tamise, screw steamer, from Paris—Ocean Chief (in tow), and Peep o' Day (brig), from the Cape of Good Hope—all for London. LONDON GAZETTE—Last Evening, WHITEHALL, DEC. 24. The Queen has been pleased to present the Rev. Wm. Hair, M.A., to the church and parish of Ardoch, in the presbytery of Auchterarder, and county of Perth, vacant by the transportation of the Rev. John ltubert Campbell, to the parish of Monzievait d. DOWNING-STREET, DEC. 26. The Queen has been pleased to appoint William Henry V alpy, Esq., to be Colonial Surgeon for her Majesty's Settlements in the Falkland Islands; and John Vincent Leach, Esq., to be Clerk of the Courts and Keeper of the Records for the Colony of British Honduras. Course of Exchange,—Yesterday. Amsterdam Ditto Rotterdam — 11 188 i 11 18f Antwerp — 25 50 25 55 Brussels — 25 50 25 55 Hamburg — 13 7 13 8 Par is Ditto :Marseilles ... Frankfort on Maine Vienna 'Trieste 120 1201 12 0 12 12 0 12 5 Petersburgh Berlin - Madrid Cadiz Leghorn Milan Genoa 25 721 25: a nt 25 72i 25 77i 25 72i 25 77i Naples Palermo Messina - 25 72} 25 77i - 25 721 25 77t - 25 72} 25 77} Foreign Gold in Bars (Standard)......per oz., L 3 17 9 Mexican Dollars Sil%er in Bars (Standard). 0 0 0 AN EITRAORDINARY CHINESE SWORD.— General Gordon, of Southampton, has received the following letter from his distinguished eon, Colonel Gordon, who fought against the Chinese rebels:—" I send home Chung Wang's sword. It is wrapped in a rebel flag belonging to Tien Chwang, a rebel chief, next in command to Wang, and who was killed on it at Chan-Chu-Fa. You will see marks of his blood on the flag, Chung Wang's sword was given by him to Tye 'Wang, a rebel chief, of Leyang, at Wusich, in Dec„ 1863, after the fall of Souchow, and at the time that Chung Wang, disgusted, determined to return tm Nankin, and take for a time no further active operations. It is more than an ordinary sword. 'The Emperor of China gave one to San-quo-jan, and this gift was accompanied with permission to San• quo-jan to execute any one, what ever his rank might be, without reference to Pekin. In fact it was a symbol of the power of dictator. Tien.Wang, the rebel chief at Nankin, gave this sword to Chung Wang, with the same power as the Imperialists, and it was this symbol of chief and supreme command which Chung Wang handed over to Tye Wang when he was recalled to Nan kin. It fell into my hands at Seyadg, on the 9th of March, 1864, and has on it Chung Wang's name, ' Li-tzn-tquen,' Chung Wang meaning faithful prince.' Chung Wang has since been taken prisoner by the Imperialists at Nan kin." RUMOURED CAPTURE OF A CONFEDERATE Go 4 VERNMENT BLOCKADE-RUNNER,-011 Monday it was reg ported in Liverpool that a private despatch had been re ceived announcing the capture of the blockade-runner Colonel L tL a h m n b i t w a t n s am Liverpoolag ni fic en e t t p t a n d e d b l e e - g w i n h n e i e n l g steamer Colonel Lamb, the property of the Confederat e G overnment. o T f k g e r C ea o t lo s n p present year, of steel, specially for blockade•runuing. in which service she made several successful trips. The last accounts were that she had put back to Nassau, after un successfully attempting to get into Wilmington. BIRMINGHAM EICHANG E.—Mr. Bright will be present at the inau gurat i on of the new Birmingham Ex change on Monday next. The opening ceremony will be pet formed at 12 o'clock by W. Scholefield, E: q., M.P. There will be a luncheon in the Assembly-room at two o'clock, The proceedings are expected to be very interesting. A MAN CHOKED 'WHILE EATING A BEEFSTEAK.— Yesterdv morning a well dressed man of about 40 years of age, e ntered the coffee-shop kept by Mr Vousden, Chichester-place, St. Pancras, and was supplied with a beef steak. While eating it he attempted to swallow a rather largo piece that he had not properly masticated, and it stuck in his throat and choked him. lie was removed to the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn•road, His throat was opened. and artificial respiration resorted to, but without avail. From the papers found on the deceased it is supposed that he was a carpenter. Information has been forwarded to Dr Lankester, but the time of the inquest has not been fixed, AUG SEPTE: :MBER or al ae ihan 100 Sk 1 itock stook stock 1:0 itcok stook stock stock stook stook stook 1041 1031